2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in Illinois
[Philosophy & Religious Studies](/majors/philosophy-and-religious-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for philosophy & religious studies students.
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2027 Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools in Illinois
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in philosophy & religious studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Philosophy & Religious Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Northern Illinois University the best value for a degree in philosophy & religious studies in Illinois. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,060. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,209. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $52,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Chicago came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value philosophy & religious studies schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $22,641. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $81,002. That is a strong return on a $22,641 median debt. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in philosophy & religious studies, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $21,824. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Wheaton College Illinois, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Wheaton, Wheaton College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,546. Students borrow a median of $23,685 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates of Wheaton College Illinois earn a median of $43,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wheaton College Illinois admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in philosophy & religious studies will find it at Hebrew Theological College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Skokie, Hebrew Theological College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,150. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $33,291. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Northwestern University earned the #6 position for value in philosophy & religious studies this year. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,322. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the philosophy & religious studies program here. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $78,551. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Depaul University landed the #7 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,405. Philosophy & Religious Studies graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, philosophy & religious studies degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,390. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
Loyola University Chicago landed the #8 spot for philosophy & religious studies value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,710. Typical student debt for philosophy & religious studies graduates is $25,530. Early-career philosophy & religious studies graduates make about $58,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
More Philosophy & Religious Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
